Julia Stiles and Preston Cook's Relationship: From Meeting On Set to Welcoming Baby No. 3

Julia Stiles and Preston Cook met at work in 2014 and now share three children

Julia Stiles and Preston Cook's love story played out behind the scenes.

The 10 Things I Hate About You actress and Cook, a camera assistant, first met in 2014 on the set of the thriller Blackway. The pair instantly hit it off, and it wasn't long before their connection turned romantic.

A year later, Cook proposed. Stiles recounted their picture-perfect engagement night during a 2016 appearance on Live with Kelly!.

"I'm so in love," she said. "Life is great ... It was a full moon. We were on a tropical island, and he's a really good man. I found it!"

Related: '10 Things I Hate About You' Cast: Where Are They Now?

In September 2017, Stiles and Cook got married and welcomed their first son, Strummer, a month later. Five years on, their son Arlo joined the family. In April 2024, Stiles revealed to The New York Times that she and Cook had welcomed their third child the previous year.

From their first on-set encounter to growing their family, here's everything to know about Julia Stiles and Preston Cook's relationship.

2014: Julia Stiles meets Preston Cook

Stiles and Cook first crossed paths in 2014 on the set of the thriller Blackway.

The Save the Last Dance actress starred as Lillian, a woman being stalked by a cop-turned-mobster, and Cook served as the second assistant cameraman.

The film also featured Anthony Hopkins, Ray Liotta and Alexander Ludwig.

2015: Julia Stiles and Preston Cook work on another film together

Stiles and Cook were back on set together when he was the second assistant cameraman on the fifth installment of the Matt Damon-led Bourne franchise — 2016's Jason Bourne.

Stiles reprised her role as Nicky Parsons, the film series' heroine, who leaves the CIA to work with Bourne.

December 24, 2015: Julia Stiles and Preston Cook get engaged

Cook proposed to Stiles in Isla Grande, Colombia, on a vacation with their families.

"All around, it was a really wonderful trip," Stiles told PEOPLE in 2016. "We stayed on an island that was really beautiful, and there was a lot of great snorkeling."

Later, reflecting on the proposal, Stiles told Live! co-host Kelly Ripa, "It [the proposal] was a total surprise. Mostly because I talked myself out of it."

Still, there were some hints that Cook was considering getting down on one knee.

"We had had a conversation waiting for an elevator one day, where he was randomly like, out of nowhere, 'With jewelry, you don't really wear silver or platinum. You're more into gold,' " she recalled. "And then I went, 'What is up with this conversation?' "

Days after Cook popped the question, Stiles announced the big news on Instagram. "Best Christmas Ever!" she captioned a photo featuring her new ring.

August 5, 2016: Julia Stiles discusses wedding plans with Preston Cook

In 2016, Stiles shared that she and her then-fiancé were in no rush to walk down the aisle. They also didn't ask their loved ones for any words of wisdom concerning married life.

"I'm not getting a ton of marital advice," Stiles told PEOPLE. "We're really slow on the wedding planning, so I haven't really been soliciting advice. Somebody told me about radical empathy, but I'm still trying to figure out what that means. I'm trying to figure out what makes it radical."

February 12, 2017: Julia Stiles and Preston Cook make their red carpet debut

Stiles and Cook made their red carpet debut as a couple at the 70th annual British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The Emmy nominee shared a photo on Instagram of her and Cook in the audience, standing behind Prince William and Kate Middleton.

"Hey England, we are sorry for the revolution. We were young ... Mel Brooks @bafta," Stiles jokingly captioned the image.

On the red carpet, The Lake star wore a long-sleeved, light blue dress with a plunging neckline and beaded floral designs. Cook wore a sleek black suit and posed with his arm around Stiles.

June 12, 2017: Julia Stiles and Preston Cook are expecting

In June 2017, Stiles' rep confirmed to PEOPLE that the couple were expecting their first child together.

The news came after Magic FM radio presenter Nick Snaith shared a photo on X (formerly Twitter) of Stiles in London, cradling her baby bump. She stopped by the radio station for an interview promoting her TV series Riviera.

June 15, 2017: Julia Stiles opens up about working with Preston Cook on Riviera

In 2016, Stiles and Cook embarked on their first television production together, the drama series Riviera. He was the first and second assistant cameraman, and she starred as American art curator Georgina Clios.

"We were so lucky, because you often don't get to [work together], and if you're away from each other it can be hard on your relationship," Stiles told Marie Claire UK in 2017.

"[When I got the part], I panicked and thought, 'Oh my god, I'm going to be away for seven months.' But they hired him because he has a great résumé, and they needed someone bilingual," she said. "It turned into the most romantic experience ever."

While filming in the south of France, Stiles and Cook explored and relaxed together. "I love beaches — generally, if I can go swimming, I'm happy," Stiles wrote in an essay for The Times in 2021.

She continued, "We spent a lot of time in France filming the TV series Riviera, and swimming around Nice and Villefranche was amazing — the Mediterranean just feels saltier and more healing. It was a dream living and working out of France for three years."

September 26, 2017: Julia Stiles announces she married Preston Cook

The Hustlers actress announced she and Cook tied the knot by posting a sweet photo on Instagram of their hands atop her baby bump — with their wedding rings on full display.

"Who doesn't love a shotgun wedding?" she captioned the image, adding a winking face emoji. The ceremony was intimate, with only the officiant and two witnesses in attendance.

"They got married Labor Day weekend with two friends on the beach in Seattle," Stiles' rep confirmed to PEOPLE.

October 20, 2017: Julia Stiles and Preston Cook welcome their first child together

Stiles and Cook's first baby, son Strummer Newcomb, arrived on Oct. 20, 2017.

"Thanks and ever thanks to the extraordinary Doctors, Nurses and staff at Mount Sinai for helping bring this utter joy into our lives. 'Hello, World!' " the new mother captioned an Instagram photo of her newborn's hand wrapped around Cook's thumb.

A month before the birth, Stiles shared what the baby's grandparents-to-be thought of the name Strummer.

"Both sets of grandparents don't like the name that we came up with," she told SiriusXM's Wake Up with Taylor. "But they're gonna get over it."

September 3, 2020: Julia Stiles and Preston Cook celebrate their third wedding anniversary

Stiles commemorated her third wedding anniversary with Cook by posting a tender tribute on Instagram. She gave fans a look at their private wedding with a photo that showcased her white lace gown.

"Three years, Five countries, Two Quarantines, and we haven't killed each other," Stiles wrote alongside the throwback pic. "Happy Anniversary, Luv."

June 20, 2021: Julia Stiles and Preston Cook attend Tribeca Film Festival

The couple walked another red carpet together at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City for the premiere of The God Committee, in which Stiles and Kelsey Grammer starred.

The actress wore a black and tan polka dot dress and Cook wore a striped, earth-toned button-down.

November 19, 2021: Julia Stiles and Preston Cook announce they're expecting their second child

Stiles' rep confirmed to PEOPLE that she and Cook were having their second baby in the fall of 2021.

The announcement came alongside the debut of her new baby bump at a screening of The Humans in N.Y.C. Stiles smiled for cameras, holding her bump, which was accentuated by a fitted, black turtleneck dress.

December 2021: Julia Stiles discusses having another child with Preston Cook

Stiles admitted to Today co-hosts Hoda Kotb and Sheinelle Jones that she found the notion of expanding her family "terrifying."

"I'm so excited. Kids are wonderful. It's such a joy, it's such a delight," Stiles said a month before her second child was born. "But now they outnumber me. How do you get two kids dressed in the morning to go out the door?"

January 26, 2022: Julia Stiles and Preston Cook welcome their second child

The Dexter alum announced that she gave birth to her and Cook's second son, Arlo, on Jan. 26, 2022. Stiles shared a photo of the newborn's feet on Instagram to share the news.

"Welcome to the world, Baby Arlo! The newest addition to our family, reminding me how infinite love can be," she captioned the photo.

In the same post, she shared a picture of a toilet covered in red marker, adding to the caption, "Scroll Forward to see how my 4 year old is taking it…"

April 3, 2024: Julia Stiles reveals she welcomed her third child with Preston Cook in 2023

In an interview with The New York Times in April 2024, Stiles spoke about her directorial debut, Wish You Were Here, and revealed that she welcomed her third child with Cook the year before.

After saying she wasn't interested in talking about her pregnancy, Stiles added, “I think that actually being a mom is really great training for being a director. You have to think 10 steps ahead but also be in the present moment. You have to be good at time management."

The addition of her third child, whose name has not been shared, led to renewed motivation for Stiles. “I am running on fumes in terms of sleep. But I feel more energized than I ever have," she said.

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